Shelf to prop up a media item

ABSTRACT

A shelf for displaying a single item. The shelf includes a slanting back panel, a base panel disposed at the base of the slanting back panel, a catch disposed at the front, distal end of the base panel, and a back panel support disposed in the rear of the slanting back panel and in proximity of the top edge of the slanting back panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/090,112, filed Apr. 4, 2016, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/192,155, filed Jul. 14, 2015, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to a shelf, and more particularly, to a shelf for propping up, or displaying a single media item.

BACKGROUND

Physical media item, for example, a book, a comic, or a record, is often adorned with beautiful art. Besides using these media as they are intended, for example, reading the book, or playing the record, many people also want to place them in a prominent place around the house, the office, the store, etc., in order to display the art that adorns the media. However, it is often hard to display a single piece of media as art on a wall, yet still retaining its intended function. For example, traditional frames encase the physical media behind glass or other materials, thus preventing the media from being used as intended, e.g., a book being read, or a record being played. On the other hand, traditional shelving may solve general storage problem, but it does not highlight any particular piece of media and the accompanying art.

It is therefore desirable to provide a shelf that can display a physical medium while retaining the intended use of the medium, and that provides advantages heretofore unknown in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are embodiments of a shelf for displaying or propping up a physical media item. In some embodiments, the shelf includes a slanting back panel, a base panel disposed at the base of the slanting back panel, a catch disposed at the front, distal end of the base panel, and a back panel support disposed in the rear of the slanting back panel and in proximity of the top edge of the slanting back panel. In some embodiments, the intersection of the slanting back panel and the base panel forms an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

In some other embodiments, the shelf includes a slanting back panel, a front base panel disposed at the base of the slanting back panel, a rear base panel extending from the base of the slanting back panel, in opposite direction of the front panel, a catch disposed at the front, distal end of the front base panel, and a back panel support disposed in the rear of the slanting back panel and in proximity of the top edge of the slanting back panel.

In yet some other embodiments, the shelf includes a slanting back panel, a front base panel disposed substantially horizontally at the base of the slanting back panel, wherein the front base panel inclines upwardly, distally from the base of the slanting back panel, a rear base panel extending horizontally from the base of the slanting back panel, in opposite direction of the front panel, a catch disposed at the front, distal end of the front base panel, a back panel support disposed in the rear of the slanting back panel and in proximity of the top edge of the slanting back panel, and wherein the intersection of the slanting back panel and the base panel forms an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention. In such drawing(s):

FIG. 1 illustrates a front, right side, perspective view of a shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a right, side view of the shelf of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the shelf of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the shelf of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front, right side, perspective view of another shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a right, side view of the shelf of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the shelf of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the shelf of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The below described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated. All features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment unless otherwise stated. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it should be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the present invention and its method of use.

In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” or “includes” means “including, but not limited to,” or “includes, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.

As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a shelf 100. In these illustrated embodiments, the shelf 100 generally includes a reclining or slanting back panel 110, a base panel 120 disposed at the base of the back panel 110, a catch 130 disposed at the front, distal end of the base panel 120, an aperture, or hole, 140 disposed in proximity of the top edge of the back panel 110, and a back panel support 150. The shelf 100 may be attached to a structure, such as a wall, with, for example, a nail or a screw through the aperture 140. A media object, such as a record or a book may then be placed on the base panel 120 for display. The media object may be displayed in an upright position, resting on the base panel 120. The media object may lean or rest against a structure to which the shelf 100 is attached. The media object may also lean or rest against the slanting back panel 110. The catch 130 keeps the media object from sliding off the base panel 120.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a front, right side, perspective view of the shelf 100. The shelf 100 may include a slanting back panel 110, a horizontal base panel 120 disposed at the base, or lower end, of the back panel 110, a vertical catch 130 disposed at the front, distal end of the horizontal base panel 120, and an aperture 140 disposed in proximity of the top edge of the back panel 110. The shelf 100 also includes a protrusion or back panel support 150 disposed in the rear of the back panel 110, and adjacent to the top edge 112 thereof.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a right, side view of the shelf 100. As mentioned above, the back panel 110 is slanted, while the base panel 120, which is disposed at the base of the back panel 110 is horizontal. In some embodiments, the base panel 120 extends continuously, outwardly and horizontally from the base of the back panel 110. The intersection of the back panel 110 and the base panel 120 forms an angle A. The angle A may be greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. A user may place a media object on the base panel 120 for display. As such, the base panel 120 may be sized to receive a bottom surface of a media object such as a book or a record. The media object may be placed in an upright position, or leaning against the structure to which the shelf 100 is attached, or against the slanting back panel 110. It may be more advantageous or appealing, or both, to display some media objects in a reclining position.

The shelf 100 also includes a catch 130 disposed at the front, distal end of the base panel 120. The catch 130 may be perpendicular to the base panel 120. In some embodiments, the catch 130 extends continuously, upwardly and vertically from the front, distal end of the base panel 120. The catch 130 is sized to catch the bottom end of a media object from sliding off the base panel 120, especially when the media object is in the reclining position, for example, leaning against the structure to which the shelf 100 is attached, or against the back panel 110.

In some embodiments, the shelf 100 includes a back panel support 150 disposed in the rear of the back panel 110, and adjacent to the top edge 112 thereof. The support 150 includes a vertical back side 152 for coupling to, or placing against, a vertical structure, to attach the shelf 100 to the structure. The shelf 100 may also include an aperture 140 disposed in proximity of the top edge 112 of the back panel 110. The aperture 140 extends from the front surface of the back panel 110, through the support 150, to the back side 152. In some embodiments, the aperture 140 may slope downward from the front toward the rear. The aperture 140 may be sized to receive an attachment device, for example, a nail or a screw, for attaching the shelf 100 to the structure.

In some exemplary operations, the back side 152 of a shelf 100 may be placed against a wall. A nail or a screw may then be driven through the aperture 140, into the wall for hanging the shelf 100 on the wall.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the back panel 110, the base panel 120, and the catch 130 may vary, based on the material used in manufacturing the shelf 100. The thickness may also vary based on variations of the shelf 100, for example, variations of the angle A, depth D₁ of the base panel 120, and so on. In some embodiments, the back panel 110 and the base panel 120 may have the same thickness T₁. In some embodiments, the thickness T₁ may be approximately ⅛ inches. The thickness T₂ of the catch 130 may be less than the thickness T₁ of the base panel 120. In some embodiments, the thickness T₂ may be approximately 1/16 inches. In some embodiments, the depth D₁ of the base panel 120 may be approximately ½ inches. In some embodiments, the height H2 of the catch 130 may be approximately ⅜ inches. In some embodiments, the height H₁ of the shelf 100 may be approximately 3 inches, and the height H3 of the back panel support 150 may be approximately ½ inches. The above measurements are exemplary, and other suitable measurements are also contemplated.

In some embodiments, the base panel 120 may incline upwardly, distally from the base of the back panel 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a top view of the shelf 100. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the shelf 100. In some embodiments, the shelf 100 has a width W₁ of approximately 3 inches.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a shelf 200. In these illustrated embodiments, the shelf 200 generally includes a reclining or slanting back panel 210, a front base panel 220 and a rear base panel 260 both disposed at the base of the back panel 210, a catch 230 disposed at the front, distal end of the front base panel 220, an aperture, or hole, 240 disposed in proximity of the top edge of the back panel 210, and a back panel support 250. The shelf 200 may be attached to a structure, such as a wall, with, for example, a nail or a screw through the aperture 240. A media object, such as a record or a book may then be placed on the front base panel 220 for display. The media object may be displayed in an upright position, resting on the base panel 220. The media object may lean or rest against a structure to which the shelf 200 is attached. The media object may also lean or rest against the slanting back panel 210. The catch 230 keeps the media object from sliding off the base panel 210. Generally, the shelf 200 may be sized to hold a larger media object than the shelf 100 may.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a front, right side, perspective view of the shelf 200. The shelf 200 may include a slanting back panel 210, a substantially horizontal front base panel 220 disposed at the base, or lower end, of the back panel 210, a horizontal rear base panel 260 also disposed at the base of the back panel 210, a vertical catch 230 disposed at the front, distal end of the front base panel 220, and an aperture 240 disposed in proximity of the top edge of the back panel 210. The shelf 200 also includes a protrusion or back panel support 250 disposed in the rear of the back panel 210, and adjacent to the top edge 212 thereof.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a right, side view of the shelf 200. As mentioned above, the back panel 210 is slanted. The front base panel 220, which is disposed at the base of the back panel 210, inclines upwardly, distally from the base of the back panel 210. The rear base panel 260, which is also disposed at the base of the back panel 210, extends horizontally from the back panel 210, in opposite direction of the front base panel 220. The front base panel 220 may incline distally upwardly from the base of the back panel 210 toward the front. In some embodiments, the front base panel 220 and the rear base panel 260 extend continuously, outwardly from the base of the back panel 210 in opposite direction, forming a single contiguous base panel having a front portion 220 and a rear portion 260. The intersection of the back panel 210 and the front base panel 220 forms an angle B. The angle B may be greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

A user may place a media object on the front base panel 220 for display. As such, the front base panel 220 may be sized to receive a bottom surface of a media object such as a book or a record. The media object may be placed in an upright position, or leaning against a structure to which the shelf 200 is attached, or against the slanting back panel 210. It may be more advantageous or appealing, or both, to display some media objects in a reclining position. As such, the inclination of the front base panel 220 advantageously tilts the media object rearward, causing it to lean against a structure to which the shelf 200 is attached, or against the back panel 210.

The shelf 200 also includes a catch 230 disposed at the front, distal end of the front base panel 220. The catch 230 is substantially perpendicular to the front base panel 220. In some embodiments, the catch 230 extends continuously, upwardly and vertically from the front, distal end of the front base panel 220. The catch 230 may be sized to catch the bottom end of a media object from sliding off the front base panel 220, especially when the media object is in the reclining position, leaning against a structure to which the shelf 200 is attached, or against the back panel 210.

In some embodiments, the shelf 200 includes a back panel support 250 disposed in the rear of the back panel 210, and adjacent to the top edge 212 thereof. The support 250 includes a vertical back side 252 for coupling to, or placing against a vertical structure, to attach the shelf 200 to the structure. The shelf 200 may also include an aperture 240 disposed in proximity of the top edge 212 of the back panel 210. The aperture 240 extends from the front surface of the back panel 210, through the support 250, to the back side 252. In some embodiments, the aperture 240 may slope downward from the front toward the rear. The aperture 240 may be sized to receive an attachment device, for example, a nail or a screw, for attaching the shelf 200 to the structure.

In some embodiments, when the shelf 200 is placed against a vertical structure, the back side 252 of the support 250 and the back side 262 of the rear base panel 260 may both flush against the structure, resulting in a stronger support.

In some exemplary operations, the back side 252 and back side 262 of a shelf 200 may be placed against a wall. A nail or a screw may then be driven through the aperture 240, into the wall for hanging the shelf 200 on the wall.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the back panel 210, the front base panel 220, rear base panel 260, and the catch 230 may vary, based on the material used in manufacturing the shelf 200. The thickness may also vary based on variations of the shelf 200, for example, variations of the angle B, depth D₂ of the front base panel 220, depth D₃ of the rear base panel, and so on. In some embodiments, the back panel 210, the front base panel 220, and the rear base panel 260 may have the same thickness T₃. In some embodiments, the thickness T₃ may be approximately ⅛ inches. The thickness T₄ of the catch 230 may be less than the thickness T₃ of the front base panel 220. In some embodiments, the thickness T₄ may be approximately 1/16 inches. In some embodiments, the depth D₂ of the front base panel 220 may be slightly less than the depth D₃ of the rear base panel 260, because the catch 230 may be slightly thinner than the back panel 210. In some embodiments, the depth D₂ of the front base panel 220 may be approximately 1 and 9/16 inches. The depth D₃ of the rear base panel 260 may be approximately 1 and ⅝ inches. In some embodiments, the height H₅ of the catch 230 may be approximately ⅜ inches. In some embodiments, the height H4 of the shelf 200 may be approximately 3 inches, and the height H6 of the back panel support 250 may be approximately ½ inches. As described above, the front base panel 220 may incline distally upward from the base of the back panel 210. As such, in some embodiments, the height H₇ of the space between the outer bottom edge of the catch 230 and a horizontal plane H_(a) may be approximately 3/16 inches. The above measurements are exemplary, and other suitable measurements are also contemplated.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a top view of the shelf 200. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the shelf 200. In some embodiments, the shelf 200 has a width W2 of approximately 3 inches.

In some embodiments, the shelf 100/200 may be made by extruding the profile of the shelf 100/200 from a selected material, for example, metal, then casting the shape and injection. The shape may be molded in a plastic or other substrate, or may be made by bending wood on a custom jig and then trimming it. 3D printing may also be used to make the shape. Other suitable material and shape manufacturing options may also be used. The aperture 140/240 may be drilled by hand, by machine mill, or by a computer numerical control (CNC) machine.

The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

Changes from the described subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims, if any, and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shelf for displaying a single item comprising: a slanting back panel; a base panel disposed at the base of the slanting back panel; a catch disposed at the front, distal end of the base panel; and a back panel support disposed in the rear of the slanting back panel and in proximity of the top edge of the slanting back panel.
 2. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the intersection of the slanting back panel and the base panel forms an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.
 3. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the back panel and the back panel support includes an aperture.
 4. The shelf of claim 3, wherein the aperture slopes downward from the front toward the rear.
 5. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the catch extends continuously, upwardly and vertically from a front, distal end of the base panel.
 6. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the back panel and the base panel have the same thickness.
 7. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the catch is less than the thickness of the base panel.
 8. A shelf for displaying a single item comprising: a slanting back panel; a front base panel disposed at the base of the slanting back panel; a rear base panel extending from the base of the slanting back panel, in opposite direction of the front panel; a catch disposed at the front, distal end of the front base panel; and a back panel support disposed in the rear of the slanting back panel and in proximity of the top edge of the slanting back panel.
 9. The shelf of claim 8, wherein the front base panel inclines upwardly, distally from the base of the slanting back panel.
 10. The shelf of claim 8, wherein the intersection of the slanting back panel and the base panel forms an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.
 11. The shelf of claim 8, wherein the back panel and the back panel support includes an aperture.
 12. The shelf of claim 11, wherein the aperture slopes downward from the front toward the rear.
 13. The shelf of claim 8, wherein the front base panel and the rear base panel extend continuously, outwardly from the base of the slanting back panel in opposite direction.
 14. The shelf of claim 8, wherein the back panel, the front base panel, and the rear base panel have the same thickness.
 15. The shelf of claim 8, wherein the thickness of the catch is less than the thickness of the front base panel.
 16. A shelf for displaying a single item comprising: a slanting back panel; a front base panel disposed substantially horizontally at the base of the slanting back panel, wherein the front base panel inclines upwardly, distally from the base of the slanting back panel; a rear base panel extending horizontally from the base of the slanting back panel, in opposite direction of the front base panel; a catch disposed at the front, distal end of the front base panel; a back panel support disposed in the rear of the slanting back panel and in proximity of the top edge of the slanting back panel; and wherein the intersection of the slanting back panel and the base panel forms an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.
 17. The shelf of claim 16, wherein the back panel and the back panel support includes an aperture.
 18. The shelf of claim 17, wherein the aperture slopes downward from the front toward the rear.
 19. The shelf of claim 16, wherein the back panel, the front base panel, and the rear base panel have the same thickness.
 20. The shelf of claim 16, wherein the thickness of the catch is less than the thickness of the front base panel. 